WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- The Commerce Department said U.S. durable goods orders rose 0.2 percent in April, a gain that fell short of the 0.7 percent rise economists expected.
After falling in March, new orders rose to $215.5 billion in April. March's estimate of a 4.1 percent drop was revised to a decline of 3.7 percent.
Transportation orders in April carried the category, rising by 2.1 percent to $62.2 billion. With transportation orders excluded, new orders dropped 0.6 percent in April.
Much of the gain in transportation orders came from orders for motor vehicles and parts, which rose by $2.3 billion.
Excluding defense, new orders rose 1.2 percent as new capital goods orders related to defense fell by $1.8 billion or 21.5 percent to $6.6 billion.
